Undercover cops to wear opposing teams jerseys during Seahawks home games

For Seattle Seahawks fans primed and pumped to cheer on their championship squad and break sound meters with their thunderous, deafening support during home games at CenturyLink Field this season, be forewarned: Undercover cops are patrolling the stadium watching out for any inappropriate or unsavory behavior.

Not only that, Seahawks fans should be careful about taunting any fan brave enough to stroll into CenturyLink Field wearing the opposing team’s uniform: He or she may be an undercover cop as well.

The Seahawks announced its “Fan Code of Conduct” via a release on the team’s official site on Wednesday and it will be in effect when the team hosts the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night to kick-off the 2014 NFL season.

It reads in part:

The Seahawks remind all fans attending home games at CenturyLink Field that undercover law enforcement officers will be outfitted in opposing team jerseys. These undercover police officers assist security and game day staff to quickly detect fans exhibiting unruly and inconsiderate behavior. These behaviors include the following:

Disruptive or illegal in nature

Intoxication or other signs of alcohol or substance impairment that results in irresponsible behavior

Foul or abusive language or obscene gestures

Interference with the progress of the game (including throwing objects onto the field)

Failing to follow instructions of stadium personnel

Verbal or physical harassment of opposing team fans

Verbal or physical harassment of stadium guests and staff members

Smoking or tobacco use on CenturyLink Field property

Guests who do not abide by these rules and the principles of the Fan Code of Conduct will not be allowed to attend Seahawks home games. Unruly or inconsiderate behavior and fighting will not be tolerated and will result in ejection from the stadium and/or permanent revocation of ticket privileges.

Fans can report any inappropriate activity that is disrupting their enjoyment of the game via text-message at HAWK12 (429512).

Seems like a fairly reasonable level of expectations. And hey, at least there isn’t any explicit warning prohibiting doing something so outrageously egregious like, you know, standing up during game play, something that appears to be a no-no at Ohio State Buckeyes games at the Horseshoe this season.

The Seahawks’ release, entitled, “Seahawks Remain Vigilant Enforcing Fan Code of Conduct,” goes on to state that violators of the team’s Fan Code of Conduct will not only be ejected, additional conditions will have to be met should the ousted fan ever hope to again gain entry to CenturyLink Field for another Seahawks game.

According to the release, any fan ejected from a game will have to take an “online educational course focused on fan behavior” that takes four hours and includes a $250 charge, payment of which is the ejected fan’s responsibility.

Wow. The Seahawks aren’t messing around with this Fan Code of Conduct stuff. Having to take an online course? What is this, the University of Phoenix?

In all seriousness, kudos to the Seahawks for implementing such a concise, clearly stated policy regarding unruly behavior, as well as instituting some semblance of penalty and cost attached to any untoward transgression. The stands at an NFL football game have been turning into a chaotic scene of barely controlled, drunken anarchy for years. Perhaps the competent and fair enforcement of policies such as the one set forth by the Seahawks will help turn that trend around.